Public Relations Specialist salary in California
Public Relations Specialists in California earn a median of $85,030 a year ($40.88 an hour), based on BLS data for 32,710 workers.
Pay ranges from $49,550 for the lowest-paid 10% to $160,520 for the top 10%. That is 14% higher than the national median of $74,750. California ranks 3rd of 51 states for public relations specialists pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 1.8 public relations specialists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $97,140, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for public relations specialists in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,550 | $23.82 |
| 25th percentile | $64,460 | $30.99 |
| Median | $85,030 | $40.88 |
| 75th percentile | $121,180 | $58.26 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $160,520 | $77.18 |
| Average (mean) | $97,140 | $46.70 |
Half of public relations specialists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $7,085.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,542.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,270.38 |
| Weekly | $1,635.19 |
| Hourly | $40.88 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Public Relations Specialist salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $117,620 | 2,200 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $102,520 | 6,290 |
| Napa, CA | $98,190 | 80 |
| El Centro, CA | $93,100 | 40 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $89,640 | 2,620 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $83,180 | 180 |
| Yuba City, CA | $81,650 | 40 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $81,240 | 2,730 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $80,700 | 270 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $80,610 | 370 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $79,860 | 11,910 |
| Vallejo, CA | $79,590 | 130 |
| Salinas, CA | $78,960 | 190 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $78,450 | 270 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $77,710 | 210 |
| Merced, CA | $77,380 | 40 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $77,010 | 1,470 |
| Modesto, CA | $76,610 | 140 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $76,580 | 270 |
| Visalia, CA | $74,780 | 100 |
| Redding, CA | $73,920 | 100 |
| Chico, CA | $73,890 | 120 |
| Fresno, CA | $72,870 | 490 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $71,190 | 160 |
Highest-paying states for public relations specialists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $102,740 |
| Washington | $87,470 |
| California | $85,030 |
| Connecticut | $84,990 |
| New York | $81,250 |
| Colorado | $80,680 |
| Virginia | $80,380 |
| New Jersey | $80,130 |
| Massachusetts | $79,660 |
| Maryland | $79,560 |
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Editor | $98,030 | $47.13 |
| Media and Communication Workers, All Other | $102,630 | $49.34 |
| Writers and Authors | $86,480 | $41.58 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $70,770 | $34.02 |
| Technical Writer | $104,000 | $50.00 |
| Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners | $116,020 | $55.78 |
| Producers and Directors | $129,790 | $62.40 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $47,660 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $75,130 | $36.12 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $47,010 | $22.60 |
| Art Director | $137,780 | $66.24 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $64,620 | $31.07 |
| Interior Designer | $80,230 | $38.57 |
| Film and Video Editors | $88,490 | $42.54 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in California
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 27-3031. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a public relations specialist make in California?
The median salary for public relations specialists in California is $85,030 a year, or $40.88 an hour. Pay ranges from $49,550 for the lowest-paid 10% to $160,520 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid public relations specialists make in California?
The top 10% of public relations specialists in California earn at least $160,520 a year. The top 25% earn $121,180 or more.
What is the starting pay for public relations specialists in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $49,550 a year, and a quarter of public relations specialists earn $64,460 or less.
How many public relations specialists work in California?
About 32,710 public relations specialists are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.